As for you, you were dead …
Summary: The meanings of “alive” and “dead” are easy to see when we are talking about physical bodies. When the subject is a spiritual body, the definitions of “dead” and “alive” change. The words remain the same, but the meanings are different.
If the spirit is eternal, how can we say it is dead? Jesus answers that question in the parable of the Prodigal Son (See Luke 15:11-32).
In the story, a father has two sons. The younger son demands his share of the estate and then leaves to live a life of excess and debauchery. Eventually, the young wastrel finds himself broke and starving. Jesus explains:
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.” (Luke 15: 17-20)
So he does. He goes back to his dad a changed man. He obviously realizes he has no right to demand anything more from his father and, in fact, has no right to even ask for help of any kind.
In the story, the father does not wait for the son to come all the way home and grovel for help. Instead, seeing that the young man is heading home is enough. Before the boy has proved he has changed or said anything at all, the father is all over him with hugs and kisses.
The older brother is incensed! How could Dad take that scoundrel back? Enraged, the older brother refuses to come into the house and acknowledge the younger brother’s return. When his dad confronts him, he explodes. “How could you?!!” he blurts out. His father replies:
“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
It is not that unusual to find ourselves in a similar situation. I’ve been there myself. Most of us understand what it means to have a relationship go bad. When that happens, it is like the person died. They are no longer part of your life.
The same thing is true for our relationship with God. When our spiritual relationship with God is broken, we are “dead” to God. Oh sure, we feel like we are alive, but that is because we are in the flesh, and there are plenty of distractions. When the flesh dies, and all that is left of life is our spirit, then having a relationship with God is more than just an important thing, it is the ONLY thing.
In the parable, the younger son is able to change his fortunes by going home. While we are in the flesh, we have that option, too. But after the flesh is dead, there is no mechanism or means for the spirit to make up for past choices. When the Big Door shuts, we don’t want to find ourselves on the wrong side of it.
Application: Always stay on the right side of the Big Door.
Food for Thought: What was the biggest obstacle the prodigal son had to overcome before he could go home?
What was the biggest obstacle the prodigal son had to overcome before he could go home?
Pride the root of so much evil, thinking more of himself and what is owed to him, thinking he is better, deserving, self centered. Not seeking size council. Not praying for WKU. He had to hit rock bottom. Lose all and any wealth before he could realise he needed to be saved by his father. (
…….. I think I caught some youth sneaking around.)
Tim,
It sounds like they are keeping you busy!! 🙂
I am glad you are up there with them!
And yes, you hit the nail on the head — pride is a brutal task master!
03-25-2023, What was the biggest obstacle the prodigal son had to overcome before he could go home?
Tim took care of this one very quickly. Good Job!
Yes. I agree. Pride. First word I thought of too.
And T, have fun with the youth. That was a great group you went with and I appreciate your ministry there.
Would it be wrong of me to say that I am proud of all your answers? 🙂
I’d like to play the contrarian… the Best response was for the older son to open the door to let himself into the room where his father and brother were… instead he remained on the outside, quite silly because the action was inside, nobody really wants to be where the older son remained on the outside… inside: restoration, forgiveness, reconciliation. Outside: bitterness, resentment, self pity, arrogance, refusing to forgive. Where does God want us to be? And where do you want me to be if you are the offender? Where do I want you to be if I am the offender? Let’s have a party! Ok older brother… if you want a party you have to go inside.. that is where all the good stuff is!
TRJ,
Thanks for sharing your contrarian views! 🙂
You raise an interesting point. The younger brother overcame his pride issue. The first pride was a misplaced pride of place. He took wealth that he hadn’t earned and squandered it. He reaped what he sowed (Galatians 6:7). The fruit of his own arrogance stripped him of that pride. After that, desperation drove him to abandon whatever pride he had left, and he found that he still had a home and a father who loved him.
The older brother had a pride issue, too. His was a different brand of pride. Same sin, different shade of black. His pride was a pride of self-righteousness. He has not yet been driven to abandon his pride.
Pride is a horrible task master. As you point out, even though the older son was still at home, by refusing to come into the party he condemned himself to being out in the cold. Another kind of spiritual “death” I suppose.